Class-action lawsuit will target Hawaii State Hospital

The Hawaii State Hospital in Kaneohe on Oahu's Windward Side will be the target of a class-action lawsuit, filed on behalf of injured psychiatric workers.

State Sen. Clayton Hee, who spoke with the news media after touring the hospital on Wednesday, said the lawsuit is imminent. His Senate Special Investigative Committee has scheduled its next meeting for July 18.

He said several workers have come forward following complaints by six employees that they had been injured by patients while on the job.

Attorney Michael Green is representing the state employees in the lawsuit, which will seek financial damages and call for changes in hospital procedures.

Meanwhile, Bill Elliott, who has been acting administrator of the hospital since March 2013, announced that he will retire on Aug. 1. A 20-year employee of the hospital, he had been associate administrator, in charge of nonclinical operations.